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Nesta’s Out. De Rossi? Rino?

July 6th, 2006 | By: Josh | 62 Comments »

Don’t shoot the messenger: Nesta’s out.

Moving on, De Rossi’s available…. Remember a few weeks back when we were discussing who we’d start against Ghana? The hottest controversy cetered around Rino v. De Rossi. Well… here we go again.

Gattuso has played well, and the chemistry is certainly there. He also appears to be Lippi’s buddy, or “cugino” as some of us say in the states. For these respective reasons, I don’t think Rino should sit, nor do I think Lippi will sit him.

De Rossi is an incredible talent but, like Wayne Rooney, needs to get certified in anger management before being relied upon by millions.

Tags: De Rossi, Italy, Nesta, Rino Gattuso, Wayne Rooney

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Comments

Displaying the most recent 25 comments from a total of 62 comments.

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By Angelo Abruzzese | July 6th, 2006 at 10:51 pm

Il tutto sara nella domenica in quando riguardo il gioco. La Nazionale deve vincere ma senza dimenticare le valore e scordando le polemiche.

Italy will carry the day but not without a hard fight, I fear they may even fall behind in the first half and have to storm back in the middle to end of the second half.

In all cases I hope this will be a good match without the Ref deciding it.

Forza Azzuri
Stringiamci a coorte
Siam pronti alla morte
L’Italia chiamò

Posted from United States

By Tony | July 6th, 2006 at 10:57 pm

I hope Inzaghi gets to play. He only played one game and yet scored against the Czechs.

By Paul | July 6th, 2006 at 10:59 pm

I think Ribery is the key to the game (besides the obvious of Zidane). All of France’s danger so far has come from whichever flank he has popped up on. Malouda, the opposite winger, will be eaten alive by Zambrotta, so I think the Grosso-Ribery matchup is the all important one. I also think Makelele-Totti will be a key matchup. Makelele does a wonderful job of snuffing out any creativity from the opposing team, so it will be interesting to see how Totti fares against him. Makelele will be in his face all game, giving up tactical fouls, so I hope that Totti continues to keep his cool as he has all tournament. Playing a man down would not be ideal (bit of an understatement!).

Posted from United States

By Walther | July 7th, 2006 at 2:16 am

“Henry is better than Pele ever was” ??? For Godsake man, get back on your medication!!

Posted from Canada

By Marcello Lippi | July 7th, 2006 at 2:16 am

We will be playing with 4 forwards at the start of the match in the 4-2-2-2 formation much like how we finished against germany, once we score 2 goals we will go to 4-4-2.

Posted from Australia

By Walther | July 7th, 2006 at 2:19 am

Well it’s nice that the coach has joined us We finished against Germany with 4 strikers, I’m not sure we’ll start that way against France.

Posted from Canada

By Walther | July 7th, 2006 at 2:21 am

I think the key that Italy has had all tournament is the depth. They played full out for the first 70 minutes and then substituted guys in who are just as good as the starters. That’s Italy’s big advantage. Some teams starting 10 can match us but they don;t have the depth after that…

Posted from Canada

By marco | July 7th, 2006 at 3:36 am

Yes lippi shoulk put Toni and Inzaghi on ….. i mean gilla, Iaquinta and DP are not so good .. and perottta does nothing fo the team (i mean against Ukrain all he did was fall over)

Posted from Australia

By hate_hate | July 7th, 2006 at 3:50 am

I love Italy. I like Nesta

Posted from Viet Nam

By Pao | July 7th, 2006 at 4:06 am

please spare me Inzaghi. Some people go on saying we are divers, well i didn’t see any dive so far from the italians (well maybe Grosso embellished Neil’s foul against Australia), but Inzaghi is actually a diver, i just can’t stand him. Let’s go with Toni and Gilardino they are far better and their sportsmanship is known.

Posted from Italy

By Josh | July 7th, 2006 at 5:02 am

Pao, I respectfully disagree. Inzaghi has been sorely missed this world cup. He would have scored several goals had he been given the opportunity. He will score against France on Sunday if he plays.

Posted from United States

By Abe | July 7th, 2006 at 5:24 am

I’d like to see De Rossi for Perrota. I thik he links better with Totti. Upfront, Gila and Toni should do.

Posted from United States

By Nando | July 7th, 2006 at 5:51 am

That’s it Vive le France, keep yapping. We love to hear your 4-0 prediction. I have no doubt whatsoever that Italy will win the world cup on Sunday. Take all your stats and history and shove ‘em. Can’t wait to avenge the 2000 final. The sweetest part will be putting a couple goals past shaky Barthez. I’m tired of his arrogance and he needs to be shut down.

Posted from Canada

By Vin | July 7th, 2006 at 5:52 am

Inzaghi has his place, Pao. He’s like a mosquito trying to leave the opposing defense with an itchy bite.

Posted from United States

By Vin | July 7th, 2006 at 5:56 am

And by the way, I think we’ll definitely see Gattuso and Totti. DeRossi is possible too; he’s served his sentence and will be ready to go.

I’m upset about Nesta; it would’ve been great to see him play. I have more confidence in the others than I did when the tourney started, but Nesta is Nesta.

Gila has earned my respect for sure, and Toni, even when he doesn’t score, keeps the defense occupied and allows the others to come flying in unattended. I honestly believe that it’s because of our strikers keeping opposing defenses occupied that so many guys (including defenders!) have scored for the Azzurri.

I love this team.

FORZA AZZURRI!

Posted from United States

By rinaldo | July 7th, 2006 at 6:40 am

To keep de rossi out for what he did against the US is dumb. This is the WC, not a disney show for kids. Nevertheless i do not think he should start…i expect us to start with the 4-4-1-1, with perrotta, gattuso, pirlo and camo all starting with totti and toni.

And altho gila played well against germany, i’d still start him on the bench…

Posted from India

By Vin | July 7th, 2006 at 3:16 pm

I’d prefer De Rossi starting over Camo.

Posted from United States

By Vive Le France | July 8th, 2006 at 7:46 am

In 1986 I predicted a 2-0 France win over Italy and I was laughed at by Italian fans whom I told. I had the last laugh as France won, and by that score. In 1998, I said france would win 1-0. This time I had a wider audience because of the net. Again, where I talked about the match and the impending France victory I was laughed at. “France are only in it because they’re the home team,” they said. “France struggled against a lower team like Paraguay,” they said. On and on it went, and yet France won. Okay, it was on PKs but I was right about who would be victorious. In 2000, again, I said France would win over Italy in the Euro Cup final. This time I said 2-0, as in 1986. I said similar things as I do now about how the Italian players crack under pressure and how their players, outside of club play, have yet to do anything inspirational and or demonstrate that they are championship material. What happened? Italy cracked under pressure. Alright it was a 2-1 win in overtime but it was French win nonetheless. During that game Del Piero had 2 wide open nets no more than a foot in front of him and he missed them both. France comes back and with a mere 30 seconds remiainig in time added, France scores a rather weak goal on Toldo to tie the game. Then Italy completely collapsed under the pressure and quickly lost on a golden goal. Go ahead and laugh at what I say and at my predictions, that is nothing new and neither is me getting the last laugh.

Posted from Canada

By Dave Hamilton | July 8th, 2006 at 9:54 am

DeRossi should have been banned for this entire tournament. He was a perfect example of a loser on a team who couldn’t even beat nine AMERICANS! When it comes to WAR or “politics on the pitch,” Italy will NEVER beat the USA — even when they win the World Cup in the process.

Posted from United States

By Pao | July 8th, 2006 at 12:41 pm

Dave Hamilton you are absolutely right, you know here in Italy we are all aware that the real final should have been France vs USA. You had such a classy team! The only reason we couldn’t beat 9 americans is that they are such a strong side. And we all wish to thank america for saving the world so many times….hmmm wait I can’t remember if the saving the world thing is real or just hollywood. Anyway we all bow to your superiority.

Posted from Italy

By Vin | July 8th, 2006 at 1:52 pm

That’s right, Pao. In fact, the US probably could’ve beaten us with no less than 6 field players + 1 goalie, if it wasn’t for that pesky ref.

On a serious note, Dave Hamilton… politics and military have no place in football / soccer / calcio, so please keep that stuff out of it. Thanks.

Oh and… Forza Azzurri!

Posted from United States

By Joseph from Malta | July 10th, 2006 at 11:18 am

vive le france….your predictions are awesome…!

At least Zidane knows how to use his head….or does he?

Posted from Malta